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Sesame seeds: Price developments in April

May 14, 2019 at 9:23 AM , Der AUDITOR
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KHARTOUM/MAPUTO. Hurricanes and a military coup caused a great stir in the sesame seed markets in Africa in April. The political and economic situation in Sudan also has a large impact on the export market.

Top 3 come from Africa

According to a statement issued by Olam at the International Conference on Sesame and Sesame Products in China, Sudan (330,000 mt), Ethiopia (260,000 mt) and Nigeria (220,000 mt) are the top 3 exporters in 2018/19. The total export volume in the international sesame market is estimated at 1.17-1.18 million mt.

Market development and price indications

In April, the second tropical cyclone in two months, Cyclone Kenneth, reached Mozambique. Parts of neighbouring Tanzania were not spared this time either. The latter was largely unaffected by Cyclone Idai in March this year.

Foretell explains that harvesting was initially supposed to start in Mozambique in the second week of May, but now the damage has to be assessed first. Rain in the south of Tanzania and in Mozambique is causing additional delays. Foretell, however, reckons that Hurricane Kenneth has not caused any significant damage to sesame seed production in Tanzania. Offers for the new crop should be available by the end of May/beginning of June.

After the government in Sudan was overthrown by a military coup and is currently experiencing a process of change, strong price fluctuations may occur due to exchange rate fluctuations. There may also be delays in exports.

Sesame seed prices, Africa, April 2019

Origin

Type

USD/mt

Sudan

white, Gedaref

1,650-1,680

Sudan

white, non-Gedaref

1,630-1,650

Sudan

reddish

1,480

Ethiopia

Humera

1,700-1,750

Ethiopia

Wollega, white

1,600

Nigeria

mix

1,620-1,680

Burkina Faso

white

1,650-1,680

Tanzania

white

1,680

CFR China / Foretell SesameInfo

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price chart, sesame seeds, hulled, mechanically dried, 99.95%
price chart, sesame seeds, unhulled, 99.95%
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